Samar Samir Mezghanni

Samar Samir Mezghanni (Arabic: سمر سمير المزغني‎; born 27 August 1988) is a Tunisian children's author.

Early life

Mezghanni was born in 1988 to the Tunisian lawyer Samir Mezghanni and to an Iraqi mother whose name is Sahar. She has two brothers, Samer and Sirar and one sister Siwar.

Education

She earned a BA in psychology from Tunis El Manar University and a Master's from the University of Birmingham and is currently undertaking a doctorate in Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge.

Career

Mezghanni wrote more than a hundred children stories and she is a member of many Arabic and international organizations. Her first child story was published in September 1997. She claims the record for being the youngest published writer and the most prolific. Mezghanni has appeared on British media speaking out against extremism in the middle east.

Awards & honors

• One of the BBC's 100 Women 2013.
• One of the 100 most powerful Arab women 2013 Link
• 'The Youngest Writer in the World' in 2000 by the Guinness Book of World Records.
• 'Youngest Most Prolific Writer in the World' in 2002 by the Guinness Book of World Records.
• Appeared in the Arabian Business list of 30 Under 30 in 2009.
• Child Book Award, in 2000 given by the then Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali during the National Day of Culture.
• Creativity Collar by the Iraqi Story House in 2002.
• Honorary Member of the Tunisian Writers Union

Selected publications

Children's literature

• Mohakamatou Dhi'ib (Trial of a Wolf)
• Holm Fi Hadeekat Al-Hayawanet (A Dream in the Zoo)